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Jaguars Notebook: Blake Bortles bounces back at practice

Blake Bortles isn’t a veteran player or the Jaguars’ starting quarterback, but he acted like both Monday when he approached coach Gus Bradley. The subject was Bortles’ subpar OTA session.

“He came and saw me and said, ‘You know what — I didn’t have a very good practice,’” Bradley said Tuesday. “He was in there spending time with [offensive coordinator] Jedd [Fisch] and [quarterbacks coach] Frank [Scelfo].”

“He had one errant throw over the top [downfield], but the other ones, he executed and it looked like he was back to attacking,” Bradley said. “He was in rhythm and more in command. It was really cool to see that from him."

Bradley wasn’t surprised by Bortles taking the initiative to reach out to the coaches.

“He’s such a competitor, and it’s so important to him,” Bradley said.

WR corps depleted

Jaguars receiver Cecil Shorts was unable to finish the OTA because of a “really minor” calf injury, and he said he’ll likely sit out Thursday’s session that is open to the public.

“Basically calf tightness,” Shorts said. “When I first felt it, I was mad. But it calmed down when I iced it down and got some treatment.”

Shorts was having a strong start to the OTAs, earning praise from Bradley after Monday’s workout and was doing all of the work about five-and-a-half-months after groin surgery.

“This is the best my body has felt in a long time,” Shorts said. “I’m not too worried about it at all.”

Taylor, 25, signed with the Jaguars last November and caught 19 passes for 189 yards (286 snaps) during the second half of the season.

“Guys like Cecil, the coaches know what he can do. The more reps I can get, the better,” Taylor said. “It was a solid day. I’m definitely tired. We’ve got to get some receivers back healthy, but it was a good opportunity for the guys that were out there to get more reps.”

Taylor who has been waived eight times since entering the league in 2011.

“You have to help each other out and rotate positions,” Taylor said. “It really tests your knowledge of the whole offense. The more you know, the more you bring to the team.”

Bradley praised the work turned in by receivers Chad Bumphis and Allen Hurns.

Calling all coaches

The Jaguars will be holding a free clinic for high school football coaches June 11 at EverBank Field. The clinic will include six 45-minute sessions from Bradley and 14 members of the team’s coaching, training and equipment staffs.

Coaches can register for the clinic by sending an email to playerpersonnel@nfl.jaguars.com or contact director of player development Marcus Pollard at pollardm@nfl.jaguars.com.

Etc.

Bradley halted Monday’s OTA to berate the Jaguars for a lack of execution but said Tuesday’s workout was “a good day. Much, much better. Extremely competitive. We slowed it down somewhat, but the execution and precision was what we were looking for. We bounced back and did a really nice job.” … In addition to the receivers, cornerback Aaron Colvin (knee), safety Josh Evans (foot) and linebacker Geno Hayes (day off) didn’t practice, and linebacker Dekoda Watson (groin) was limited. … The Jaguars are back on the field Thursday, and the OTA is open to the public (10:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m.). Fans are asked to register on the Jaguars’ website.